Investigation into the Potential ofBio-based Automotive Engine Lnbrieation Oil Using Tribologieal Test Method

The objectives of this research are to analyse the bio-based lubrication behaviour
usin~ the tribological testin~ procedure, to eval!lllte the pot!:ntial of its techirical
capability as a bio-based lubrication and to compare its properties to the existing
commercial mineral lubrication and lastly conclude the findings of the study. The
continuous increase in global crude oil price and the increased in the air pollution
due to the emission of vehicles exhaust gas produced by the engine combustion and
mineral based lubrication oil have triggered the idea of using vegetable oils (palm
'I) 1l 01 or m' d..u stri'a ! app 1i cati.o n. U. s.m ~ the b. l' o-bas.e d Iu b.. n .c ati.o n ol'1 WI'1 1 1e .n.."., to th. e
cleaner exhaust gas and production of environmental friendly green oil.
The scopes of work for this project are to gather the standard information regarding
lubrication oil as classified in SAE and API, to study the essential properties of the
lubrication oil and to understand the fundanlental theory of lubrication such as fluid
film lubrication and lubricant. The other scopes of work are to study the basic raw
material for lubrication oil and identity the suitable test procedure for the lubrication
oil.
This project attempts to study the performance and potential of palm oil as the
lubrication oil for the automotive engine. Several test procedures for the lubrication
oil will be performed in order to achieve the objectives. The laboratory works are
such as; Lubrication Raw Oil Materials Mixing and Blending Technique, Viscosity
Testing, Four (4) Ball Wear Test, Optical Microscopy Analysis, Scanning Electron
Microscopy Analysis and etc. The test results obtained together with their analysis in
this project will conclude and recommend as to the suitability of this new bio-based
lubrication oil to be used in the automotive engine.
The findings of the project show that the palm oil has the potential and capability to
be desi~ed as the new alternative lubrication oil in the automotive engine industry.
This is based on the palm oil performance on viscosity and wear characteristic
testing that have been conducted.